League Cup (1/12 - 2/12)

Manchester United v Tottenham
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Arsenal
Blackburn v Chelsea


Portsmouth v Aston Villa

Team news: Portsmouth - O'Hara (OUT), Boateng (OUT), Smith (OUT), James (OUT), Finnan (OUT), Diop (OUT) -- Aston Villa - Collins (OUT), Warnock (50/50), Reo-Coker (50/50).

Verdict: Portsmouth were condemned to their 3rd straight defeat on the weekend, a 4-1 reverse at Fratton Park to Manchester United. New manager, Avraam Grant, really has his work cut out as he finds his side rock bottom and 7pts adrift from 17th placed West Ham United. Aston Villa held out for a 1-1 draw against in form Tottenham in a game where good defensive organisation came to the fore for the Birmingham side. Villa manager, Martin O'Neill, has fielded full strength sides so far in this competition so the visitors look a good shout to progress here. Portsmouth lose key midfielders O'Hara and Boateng through inelegibility while it is expected that Grant will ring the changes in preparation for their key game against Burnley on the weekend.

Pick: Aston Villa -0.25AH @1.96 (sbobet, 7 units)
Portsmouth 2 - 4 Aston Villa

Manchester United v Tottenham

Verdict: Both managers look set to ring the changes here with fringe players in Bentley and Jenas set to play for Spurs, while Sir Alex is set to give some youngsters an opportunity at redemption. Manchester United return to Old Trafford for the first time since their Champions League loss to Besiktas almost a week ago. The motivation of some of the Spurs players mentioned above will be questionable whereas the young 'Red Devils' I feel will be keen to impress the boss and prove that they do have a future at Old Trafford.

Pick: Manchester United -0.25AH @1.74 (sbobet, 6 units)
Manchester United 2 - 0 Tottenham

Wednesday, December 2
Manchester City v Arsenal

Team news: Manchester City - Barry (doubtful), Bellamy (OUT), Petrov (OUT) -- Arsenal - Van Persie (OUT), Bendtner (OUT), Diaby (OUT), Sagna (OUT)

Verdict: In what promises to be a tasty encounter, Manchester City will take on Arsenal's young guns for a chance to progress to the League Cup quarter-finals. Manchester City's Mark Hughes can't help but field a star-studded first 11 in this contest and if they play to their potential, should be too much for a young Arsenal side. Manchester City though have been perhaps a little too arrogant so far this season, which has culminated in dropping points from winning positions. In their previous League Cup encounter, Arsenal afforded Liverpool lots of opportunities in a game which the Gunners eventually won 2-1. In closing, both sides like pushing players forward in abundance with little regard for defending so I envision plentiful opportunities for both sides.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals @1.82 (sbobet, 6 units)
Manchester City 3 - 0 Arsenal